What Does Craniosacral Therapy Cost? A Beginner's Handbook
When exploring alternative therapies for pain relief, stress reduction, and overall wellness, craniosacral therapy (CST) often comes up as a unique and gentle option. But if you're new to this therapy, you may wonder: What does craniosacral therapy cost, and what can you expect from your experience?
In this beginner’s handbook, we'll discuss the typical costs, factors that influence pricing, and what you need to know before booking your first session. Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic pain or tension or simply want to enhance your well-being, understanding the value and price of craniosacral therapy can help you make an informed decision. Let's dive in!
How Much Does Craniosacral Therapy Cost?
Craniosacral therapy costs vary, depending on your therapist and the state you live in. Often, the first fee to expect is for a consultation. An initial consultation costs around $10–50 but is sometimes free. A CST consultation lasts about 15–30 minutes, during which you’ll have the opportunity to see if you’re comfortable with the practitioner. If they’re not a good fit, keep in mind that you’ll need to set aside money for additional consultations with other craniosacral therapists. Take your time during consultations, assessing whether you can properly reach your physical, emotional, or spiritual goals with the practitioner.
After the initial consultation, individual craniosacral therapy sessions can cost $120–170. Craniosacral therapists may offer packages for multiple sessions at a discounted rate, which can be beneficial if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to heal. For example, a one-time session may cost $150, but a package of 6 sessions could be priced at $800, saving you money in the long run. Practitioners may offer other types of discounts, including student discounts, referral discounts, veteran discounts, elderly discounts, and more.
Most clients attend at least three craniosacral therapy sessions, but scheduling additional appointments is recommended to experience complete healing. Dedicated patients often attend one 60–90 minute craniosacral therapy appointment per week. If one session costs $150, it would total $600 per month. While this may seem like a large amount initially, the benefits you’ll experience from craniosacral therapy more than make up for the initial investment. Paying for craniosacral therapy is an investment into your well-being and longevity, helping you fully enjoy life and experience the power of holistic health.
Are Infant or Children Rates Different?
Often, craniosacral therapy for children and infants is the same price as a normal session. However, parents often attend the session as well, benefiting from the therapy alongside their children. For example, I offer one-hour CST sessions priced at $150 for children and family will receive treatment as well. This will include treating some family members during the hour. The main client (your child), however, will be the main focus of the hour.
Is Craniosacral Therapy Covered By Insurance?
Insurance usually does not cover craniosacral therapy due to its effectiveness and safety still being studied. Chatting with your CST practitioner about different insurance companies may be helpful if you’re looking for discounted treatment. Here are the policies regarding CST for a few popular insurance companies:
Blue Cross/Blue Shield: They don’t consider CST a medical necessity, so they don’t cover it.
Atena: This insurance company views CST as experimental and investigational, so they don’t offer coverage.
Cigna: According to its policy, Cigna doesn’t provide coverage for CST, even in clinical indications.
United Health Care: United can cover CST for various conditions depending on your plan with the company. Conditions they consider include asthma, headaches, migraines, and chronic pain.
To learn more about what your insurance covers for craniosacral therapy, speak with a certified practitioner and your company to see how they can potentially help.
Tips For Finding Craniosacral Therapists Within Your Budget
If you’re on the hunt for a reliable craniosacral therapist but don’t want it to break the bank, here are some tips for finding affordable treatment:
Find practitioners who offer sliding-scale payment methods. Some craniosacral therapists offer flexible session costs, meaning they let you pay what you can. Often, their website will outline this and provide details about their sliding-scale fees. Ensure the craniosacral therapist is experienced, has advanced training, and has positive reviews before working with them.
Try out a session at a training school for craniosacral therapists. If there’s a training school for craniosacral therapy near you, they may offer times throughout the year when low-cost sessions are available. Experienced therapists or new students often lead these CST sessions under supervision. This is an excellent option if you’re entirely new to CST and want to try it out. Make sure to find out whether your practitioner is Upledger Institute trained. This is important because effective treatment can be lost to nuance if the practitioner is not properly trained. This is especially true if the client or patient is an infant or child. Go to UpledgerInternational.com to find a qualified practitioner in your area.
Ask around and look at online reviews. Do you have friends or neighbors who have attended craniosacral therapy sessions? Contact those you know, asking them if they have referrals for quality craniosacral practitioners. Additionally, you may get a discount for being referred to the therapist. It’s also helpful to research online reviews, seeing if anyone states anything about discounts or affordability.
Buy a package of CST sessions. If you’ve tried CST and know how much it works, buying a package of multiple sessions may be worth it. If you’re unsure whether your therapist offers this, ask them if it’s an option they’d be interested in. This could eliminate a significant percentage of the cost and help you stay consistent with sessions.
Remember that while CST may be a significant investment upfront, it has a massive payoff physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether you’re looking for deeper sleep or finally getting rid of those aching headaches, the cost of craniosacral therapy is a worthy investment for holistic healing.
Try Craniosacral Therapy in Northern Utah
If you’re looking for a reliable craniosacral therapist based in Salt Lake City, Utah, I offer effective treatment for both young and adult clients suffering from various health conditions and mental illnesses. My individual CST sessions start at $150 for a 60–90 minute session, with add-on options such as aromatherapy. I provide free consultations, ensuring we’re a good match before starting treatment. With over a decade of experience in the holistic health world, I’m passionate about seeing everyone who walks through my door feeling vibrant and healed by the time they leave.
Whether you need a session for your infant or for yourself, I am excited to partner with you in finding healing and rest. Contact me to experience how CST can bring much-needed transformation to your life.
